The town of Point Pleasant, West Viriginia, has been plagued (or blessed?) by strange sightings of a “6 foot tall man-shaped figure with wings” since 1964. The first sighting was by a woman and her father driving down Route 2 near the Ohio River when a man-shaped figure stepped out onto the road, spread two large wings and flew away. One report has over 100 sightings The Mothman (along with UFOs and other strange occurences) happening just prior to the collapse of The Silver Bridge near Point Pleasant on December 15, 1967.

But West Viriginia isn’t the only location of sightings of The Mothman (or at least something similar to it). Sightings have been reported in Illinois, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Canada...even Europe and Asia. Through the years, the legend has grown that sighting such a create (sometimes reported as an “Angel”) foretells disasters (hence the “prophesies”). Other legends say the creature saves people from disasters.

Sightings of “the winged creature” are often accompanied by sightings of UFOs or “dancing lights” So far, no one has been able to explain them. Some reports even say the creature visited the set of the film during production.

“The Legend of the Mothman” is a one hour documentary special that will explore the strange disturbances, odd sightings, bizarre occurrences and strange eye witness reports connected to a creature known as the Mothman, first sighted in the Point Pleasant, West Virginia area in the sixties. Strangely, the sightings and disturbances seemed to reach a peak with several area residents sharing the same nightmare of a river disaster. On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge spanning the Ohio River between Point Pleasant and Gallipolis, Ohio collapsed into the frigid water, sending 46 people to their deaths. Many of those who lost their lives had reported seeing the Mothman. Perhaps most disturbing, there were no reported sightings after the bridge accident.

No one knows for sure exactly what or who the Mothman was...or what it may have wanted with the people of Point Pleasant, but many people have offered theories. Was it connected in any way to the numerous UFO sightings in the area at the same time? Or does the speculation about a local warlock bringing the creature into being hold any weight? Perhaps the theory of the old munitions area nearby affecting area wildlife in strange ways was valid.Some scientists simply dismissed the sightings as large sandhill cranes or owls. Those who experienced the terror however, insist that what they saw was no bird. And what's particularly noteworthy is that all of them saw the same thing - a large winged creature with penetrating red eyes.

The special will feature interviews with eye witnesses, local journalists, residents and remaining members of the police departments who investigated the incidents in Point Pleasant. Author John Keel will also appear, offering his insights into the legend and the area. Newsreel footage from the locations, including news stories from the Silver Bridge collapse, will be utilized along with clips from the feature film and soundbites from the director, producers and stars. Mothman reports from around the globe will be reviewed and investigated, such as sightings at notorious historical incidents like the 1986 Chernobyl accident and the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. Over 50 sightings have been reported over the last five years alone.

Who or what was the Mothman? Is it still around? Why did it choose Point Pleasant? What connection did it have to the Silver Bridge incident? Is there a connection to what happened in Chernoby and Mexico City? Will it return? Where will it go next?

The answers to these questions and more will be explored on "Search for the Mothman" airing on the FX Network on January 23 at 10:00 P.M. with an encore airing on January 27 at 11:30 P.M.